Description
Book SynopsisThis book on water and climate change goes beyond the usual and predictable analyses, by bringing religion and values into a discussion that is often dominated by technocratic solutions. The three case studies of Jakarta, Cape Town, and Amsterdam demonstrate the challenges of water management in urban areas and the role religion can play in addressing them. With representatives from science, politics, economics, and religion, as well as young voices, the book stimulates a values-driven dialogue on issues of water in times of climate change.
Trade ReviewThis book is built on a unique process of consultation which took heart, mind and body into account – a linkage of wisdom shared by academics, policy makers, and ordinary citizens. The narratives in the book reflect the processes, the realities and the advocacy for change much needed in today’s pandemic-riddled world of inequities. The theme of water is that of life itself. Intrinsic to all health: planetary, governance, and urban and rural human realities, water defines the essence of our lives and the imperatives of our individual and institutional accountability for today – and for a tomorrow.
- Azza Karam, Secretary General of Religions for Peace International and Professor of Religion and Development at the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Water is life’s enabler, the catalyst to build a better future for all. Water brings us all together, forging inspiring coalitions, empowering all across society. Water is about us humans, it changes us, from within. This book shows the need to embrace these different values of water. It inspires the global water dialogue and helps us strengthen our water partnerships, for hope and the power to change course.
- Henk Ovink, Special Envoy for International Water Affairs for the Netherlands
People of faith believe that water is a source of life, a symbol of cleansing, sometimes even sacred. In reality the opposite is often true: water may be scarce, stolen or toxic. Water may give life and provide sanitation, but in South Africa we also face realities of extreme drought and children drowning in pit toilets. This volume is unique, as it brings together civil society, religion, government, business, and academia to find ways of working together to address these tensions and challenges around water and climate change.
- Prof. Ernst Conradie, Department of Religion and Theology, University of the Western Cape
Table of ContentsIntroduction (Prof. Ruard Ganzevoort)
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew (Dr John Chryssavgis, Jan Jorrit Hasselaar)
1. The Need for Dialogue
An academic perspective (Prof. Vinod Subramaniam)
A governmental perspective (Prof. Caroline Nevejan)
Kadir van Lohuizen, photos
An economic perspective (Prof. Jan Peter Balkenende)
A religious perspective (Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew)
2. Global Perspectives on Water and Climate Change
Closing session of Amsterdam International Water Week (Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew)
Reflection by Bianca Nijhof
Global challenges on water and climate change (Prof. Jeroen Aerts)
3. Voices of the Next Generation: How Dare You?
Water Quality Management (Liang Yu)
Caring for our water cycle (Françeska Tomori)
Water crisis and social inequalities (Monserrat Vásquez L)
Taking action (Bas Zaalberg)
Interdisciplinarity in solving global challenges (Samira I. Ibrahim)
4. Voices from Those Who Dare
Building with nature (Pieter van Oord)
Faith for Earth Programme (Dr Iyad Abumoghli)
Water and religion (Cardinal Turkson)
Reflection by Hein Pieper
5. Water-Sensitive Cities
Jakarta
Amsterdam
Cape Town
Reflection by Thabo Makgoba
6. A Covenant of Hope
Covenant of Hope
Reflection by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew
Reflection by Gerhard van den Top
Reflection by Jos Douma
Reflection by Richard Kooloos
7. The Role of Religion in Society
The Netherlands as pluralist society (Prof. Jan Anthonie Bruijn)
Religion and Security (Prof. Ernst Hirsch Ballin)
Religion as force for good (Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew)
Conclusion: Concrete steps into a hopeful future
